In his career so far, Wemby has played 100 games and has averaged 22.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and a whopping 3.7 blocks per game.
SAN ANTONIO — Fresh off a thrilling game where he scored 35 points and grabbed 18 rebounds against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs Center Victor Wembanyama turned 21 Saturday. Happy birthday!
And let’s just say he did quite a bit in the NBA before he could legally drink.
In his career so far, Wemby has played 100 games and has averaged 22.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and a whopping 3.7 blocks per game. This is with him shooting 47% from the field and 34% from three-point range (making 2.3 a game). These stats have put him in elite company.
All stats are according to Stat Muse and Basketball Reference.
Points
With 2,273 points in his career so far, Wemby ranks 12th all-time in points scored before turning 21, trailing the likes of LeBron James (4,649), Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Andrew Wiggins, LaMelo Ball and Jalen Green. Notable players he has more than are Kevin Garnett, Jayson Tatum and Tony Parker.
These stats are from a smaller sample size, however, as of those players, Wemby has played the least number of games at 100. For perspective, Jalen Green, who ranks right above him, played 118 games and LeBron played 186 games before they turned 21.
In points per game, Wemby shines a bit brighter, as he’s averaged 22.7 points per game, ranking 4th all-time behind Zion Williamson (25.7), LeBron James (25) and Luka Doncic (24.2). He actually tied Kevin Durant’s output (22.7) and averaged more than Carmelo Anthony, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Edwards just to name a few notable players.
Rebounding
Wemby ranks 14th in total rebounds at 1,053, while again having a much smaller sample size than those above him, those including Dwight Howard, Andre Drummond, LeBron James and Alperen Sengun to name a few.
He ranks 3rd in rebounds per game (10.5) behind rebounding monsters Dwight Howard (11.5) and Andre Drummond (10.8).
Blocks
Getting into his real expertise, standing at 7’3″, Wemby has the 2nd most blocks in NBA history before turning 21 with 366. This ranks only behind former Hawks Forward Josh Smith with 381. Smith also played 69 more games than Wemby before turning 21.
Wemby trails only Shaquille O’Neal in blocks per game. Wemby averaged an absurd 3.7 blocks compared to Shaq’s 3.9, albeit Shaq played in 46 less games.
3-pointers
In the age of 3-point shooting, Wemby has certainly kept up so far, ranking 9th in total 3-pointers made before turning 21 with 225. This trails other recent stars such as Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Luka Doncic, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Devin Booker, Jamal Murray and Bradley Beal. Once again, Wemby has a much smaller sample size than all of these players. He’s also the highest center on this list, as well as the highest player taller than 7’0″.
Where was the all-time leading 3-point shooter of all time (and counting) at age 21? Stephen Curry was still three months away from being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the 2009 NBA draft. So for anyone wondering if he can catch Chef Curry, Wemby is on a more-than-ideal pace.
Accolades
Wemby is already highly decorated, winning the 2024 Rookie of the Year Award as well as leading the entire NBA in blocked shots in his rookie year. He’s also on track to lead in the same candidate his second year, having more than 40 blocks more than second place Walker Kessler as of Jan. 4.
Wemby is also a top candidate to win Defensive Player of the Year this year and would be the youngest player in NBA player to do so at 21. (Ironically two former Spurs, Kawhi Leonard and Alvin Robertson, are tied with Dwight Howard and Jaren Jackson Jr. for the youngest at this time, all being 23 at the time of winning.)
He’s also the fourth youngest player to score 50 points in a game, doing so on November 13, 2024 when he was 20 years and 314 days old. This trails only Brandon Jennings (55 in 2009), LeBron James (56 in 2005) and Devin Booker (70 in 2017).
To put all this in SA perspective, on Spurs legend Tim Duncan’s 21st birthday, he was preparing for the 1997 NBA Draft; David Robinson was still in the Navy when he turned 21 and Manu Ginobili was four years away from making his NBA debut.
Those three are considered three of the best players in Spurs history, and none of them had even put on the silver and black by the time they were 21.
Kawhi Leonard was on the Spurs but was yet to hit his stride as one of the top players in the league, only averaging 7.9 points in 24 minutes per game before turning 21. Same with Tony Parker, who only averaged 12.4 points and 4.8 assists before his 21st birthday.
If all of these stats and accomplishments say anything, we should be looking at quite the career for the French sensation.
Not bad for someone who couldn’t even drink.